[Print Friendly PDF of the DAIRY Project Guide]

4-H’ers must be 8 years old as of September 1st of the current
4-H program year to enroll in a large animal project. 

Dairy Project

In the 4-H Dairy projects, you will learn:

• how to identify breeds and select quality dairy animals;
• best practices for animal care and management;
• safe and ethical practices for animal welfare;
• fiitting and showing skills;
• how to promote the use of dairy products and the dairy industry; and
• skills such as decision-making, getting along with others, self-responsibility, planning and organizing, and improving your knowledge of general science and technology.

DAIRY (For Youth Ages 8-18)

This curriculum teaches decision making skills through a variety of projects. Youth will learn about dairy cattle breeds, anatomy, care, health, marketing, showing and the many available careers in the dairy industry.

Member and Leader Manuals (Ages 8-18)

Some 4-H projects are online! CLICK HERE: Dairy Project

DA 1       Cowabunga!                  
DA 2       Mooving Ahead              
DA 3       Rising to the Top           
DA H      Helper’s Guide                
DA R      Dairy Project Record

DAIRY Level 1

• Cowabunga! explores dairy cattle breeds, selecting calves, identifying body parts, recognizing desirable traits, packing a show box, grooming and showing a calf, and identifying stages of calving and care. Available through National 4-H Council.  
  

DAIRY Level 2

• Mooving Ahead explores judging and identification skills, ethical decision making, keeping animals healthy, parasites, behavior, housing, hay quality, milking, food safety and careers. Available through National 4-H Council.

DAIRY Level 3

• Rising to the Top allows 4-H'ers to practice body condition scoring, selection through records, mastitis detection, balancing a ration, pregnancy detection, delivery of calf, promoting dairy products and exploring career opportunities. Available through National 4-H Council.

DAIRY Leader/Helper Guide

This Helper's Guide will help you support youth in his or her efforts to set goals and complete activities, as well as providing resources for the member's to use in completing the series. Available through National 4-H Council.

LEVELS 1-2-3 Project Record Materials:

Dairy Project Record Book
This is an animal sciences record book for all members in this project area to keep record of their dairy project. In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 054. [County Ordering Info]

Supplemental Materials:

General Dairy Publications

Choosing your First Dairy Project:  A Parent's Guide
This fact sheet guides parents in helping their 4-H child to choose the right animal. The guide discusses what to look for in selecting a quality calf as well as helping the child make the final decision.  In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 218. [County Ordering Info]

Training and Showing Your 4-H Dairy Animal
This dairy project publication is a  manual that gives youth of all ages tips on how to lead, pose, show the animal in the ring, orient the youth on the various classes at a dairy show, and the scorecard for judging showmanship.  In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 124. [County Ordering Info]

Dairy Cattle Judging Contests

5 Easy Steps to Preparing Effective Reasons for Dairy Cattle Judging Contests I   
This dairy project publication is for 4-H members ages 8-13. This reference manual will help juniors develop strong written reasons, learn terminology related to the contest and help prepare for dairy cattle judging.  In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 214. [County Ordering Info]

5 Easy Steps to Preparing Effective Reasons for Dairy Cattle Judging Contests II
This dairy project publication is an animal sciences publication for 4-H members ages 8-13. This reference manual will help seniors develop strong written reasons, learn terminology related to the contest and help prepare for dairy cattle judging. In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H214. [County Ordering Info]

Seven "Keys" to Coaching a Judging Team for Dairy Cattle Judging Contests III
This dairy project publication is for coaches and is used in conjunction with Five Easy Steps to Preparing Effective Reasons for Dairy Cattle Judging Contests I and II (4H DAJ 01, 4H DAJ 02) and Making it Better, Tips for Improving Oral Reason Scores (4H DAJ 04). This manual will help you to assist youth improve in problem areas.  In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 217. [County Ordering Info]

Making it Better, Tips for Improving Oral Reason Scores
This dairy project publication is for 4-H members age 14 and over. This reference manual is to be used in conjunction with Five Easy Steps to Preparing Effective Reasons for Dairy Cattle Judging Contests II (4H DAJ 02). This manual will help you improve areas that you are having problems with.  In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 216. [County Ordering Info]

Additional Materials

Dairy Learning Lab Kit - Ohio State University
This kit includes units on anatomy, breeds, conformation, meat science and quality assurance. These popular kits provide the basis for interactive learning experiences. Kit components include posters, labels, statements, demonstration items, and charts. All posters, charts, prints and situation/task statements are laminated for increased durability with answer keys on the reverse side. Kit includes Velcro to adhere to identification tags, and zipper pouches for tag storage. Each kit is packaged in a durable canvas carrying case for easy use, storage and transportation. Item 4034K. Available through Ohio State University.

Dairy Learning Lab CD-ROM - Ohio State University
Based on the learning lab kit, this CD-ROM will provide you with interactive quiz exercises for study of: anatomy (skeleton, external features, mammary), breed identification, conformation (feet and leg, mammary), and quality assurance (medication and safe handling procedures). An Adobe Acrobat version of the Educators' Resource Materials Set, and Educators Curriculum Guide is included on the CD-ROM. Works on Macintosh and Windows. Item 4049CD. Available through Ohio State University.

Calf Pattern 
This training aid supports the " Skills for Life" Series and will teach youth how to make a model calf that can be used to teach such skills as dehorning, administering medication and many more.  4-H members can make their realistic model calf with the provided pattern. Available through National 4-H Council. 

 

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